Voice/data distribution hardware and method

ABSTRACT

Method and hardware for multiple distributing business or residential telephone connections and multiple Ethernet data connections over a standard 4 twisted pair telephone cable system.

[0001] This application is based upon Provisional Application No.60/405,362 filed on Aug. 23, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] Generally this invention relates to voice/data networking andspecifically relates to using one 4 twisted pair wire to deliver of bothtelephone and data networking to each computer/telephone user location.This invention has applications in both business and residentialinstallations.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Rapid growth in the use of the Internet in home and business, andEthernet networking for simultaneous computer access to the Internetcreates a need for affordable wiring to connect these computer andtelephone devices. Today, most businesses and many homes desire the useof multiple computers all connected to the Internet simultaneously.

[0006] Currently the FCC of the United States requires that all newhomes being built have phone/data communications cable that contains 4twisted pair of conductors. Business telephone systems may be installedwith cable that contains 4 twisted pair of conductors. When a cable ispresent at a phone station location it delivers up to 4 telephone linesin a residential setting or uses 2 of the pair for the businesstelephone station.

[0007] Today, most homeowners use 2 lines or less and business telephonesystems only use 1 or 2 twisted pair at the telephone station. Thecurrent method used to deliver an Ethernet connection to these stationsis to install an additional 4 twisted pair voice/data communicationscable connected to a computers network card and then connected to anEthernet router. For existing homes and businesses desiring to addEthernet connections to locations where only one 4 twisted pair wire islocated requires the addition of another 4 twisted pair wire. This isexpensive and in some cases impossible.

[0008] Since an Ethernet connection requires only 2 twisted pair ofwires most home telephone locations and business telephone stationlocations have 2 spare pair of voice/data wiring available to be usedfor an Ethernet connection.

[0009] It may be seen that providing an additional 4 twisted pairvoice/data cable to all locations requiring the use of telephone andEthernet is redundant and expensive. In addition, a user deciding toisolate 2 unused twisted pair of wiring from the existing telephonesystem is faced with the complicated task of identifying the unusedpairs and then making complicated connections.

[0010] Therefore, a great need exists for an easy to installEthernet/telephone connection using existing 4 twisted pair wiring andeasy to install interfaces to the existing telephone wiring system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0011] The basic idea of this invention is to use 2 unused pair of wiresin an existing voice/data home or business wiring system in conjunctionwith an Ethernet router and computer network card to deliver dataconnections to a computer. The system will use the modules (theinvention) and existing technology and standards (RJ 45X jacks and 110punch-down connections) to deliver in a simple straightforward methodaccess to telephone lines, a data network and the Internet.

[0012] This invention consist of four distinct pieces of hardware:

[0013] 1. The Voice/Data Station Module (described in FIG. 1)

[0014] 2. The Home Voice/Data Distribution Module(described in FIG. 1)

[0015] 3. The Business Voice/Data Distribution Module (described in FIG.2)

[0016] 4. The Wall Voice/Data Station Module (described in FIG. 3)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In these drawings and description like numbers refer to likeparts throughout. All outlets will use the TIA T-568-A Standard or theTIA T-568-B Standard. For this discussion we will discuss the TIAT-568-B Standard. By switching wire pairs the same invention may be usedwith either standard.

[0018]FIG. 1 shows the combination of telephone lines and Ethernet on a4 twisted pair wiring system to deliver 2 telephone lines and anEthernet connection to a Voice data outlet for connection to a telephoneand a computer 10/100 base T computer network card.

[0019]FIG. 2 shows the combination of a business telephone line from aPBX or Key System and Ethernet on a 4 twisted pair wiring system todeliver 1 business telephone extension and an Ethernet connection to aVoice data outlet for connection to a telephone and a computer 10/100base T computer network card.

[0020]FIG. 3 shows the Wall Station Voice/Data Module to which thebusiness telephone and computer are connected.

[0021] Each item number on the drawing corresponds with a like numberand description below:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Description of FIG. 1 Home Voice/Data Distribution Module andStation Voice/Data Module Description of numbered items on FIG. 1

[0023] 1. Phone Utility Interface

[0024] 2. Four pair voice/data cable with colored wire pairs ofWhite/Orange and Orange, White/Green and Green, White Blue and Blue,White Brown and Brown; used to connect telephone system with 110punch-down on one end and RJ 45 male on the other end to

[0025] 3. Home Distribution Module (number 1 of 4 parts of thisinvention) which combines telephone and Ethernet and delivers both to astation location and converts telephone line 2 (White/Orange, Orangepair) on pins 3 and 6 to the Brown/White, brown pair pins 7 and 8

[0026] 4. Female RJ 45 jack which receives service from the telephoneutility

[0027] 5. Female RJ 45 jacks out to station pre-configured to deliver 2telephone lines and Ethernet to a station location

[0028] 6. Female RJ 45 jacks on face of the Home Distribution Module tobring Ethernet into the Home Distribution Module

[0029] 7. RJ 45 connection out from an Ethernet Hub or Router

[0030] 8. Ethernet patch cords

[0031] 9. Telephone wall plate with female RJ-45

[0032] 10. Station Voice/Data Module (number 2 of 4 parts of thisinvention) with 1 male RJ 45 jack to plug into the telephone wall outlet(#4) and 3 female RJ 45 jacks to connect to telephones and the computernetwork card.

[0033] 11. RJ-45 (#11) jack brings the Blue/White and Blue wires to pins4 and 5 and the Brown/White and Brown pair to pins 3 and 6 for deliveryof 2 phone lines to a station from an RJ-45 female

[0034] 12. RJ-45 (#1) jack brings the Brown/White and Brown pair to pins4 and 5 for delivery of 1 phone line to a station from an RJ-45 female

[0035] 13. RJ-45 female that brings an Ethernet connection on the Orangeand Green pairs to pins 1, 2, 3, and 6 in the RJ-45 in the StationVoice/Data Module (number 2 of 4 parts of this invention

[0036] 14. Mail RJ-45 which plugs into the female RJ-45 of the telephonewall plate

[0037] 15. Ethernet Router or switch

[0038] 16. 2 line telephone

[0039] 17. single line telephone or fax machine receiving line 2

[0040] 18. computer network card

[0041] 19. telephone connector cables

[0042] 20. data patch cord

[0043] This system of devices provides both voice and data distributionover one. 4 pair communications wire saving installation time and money.It will also allow homes wired for only telephone to implement a datanetwork over the existing communications wiring system. Prior to thisinvention a complicated wiring scheme was used to provide both voice anddata at the station or an addition 4-conductor wire needed to be run foraccess to the data network.

[0044] This system of wiring and devices makes it easier and lessexpensive than current methods of installing telephone and Ethernet atuser locations wired with one 4 twisted pair wire. There is no need topull an additional 4 twisted pair wire to each location requiringtelephone and Ethernet reducing both time and expense to deliver theseservices.

[0045] It can now be seen that individuals with moderate skill intelecommunications can implement the system as described above andpictured in FIG. 1.

[0046] Description of FIG. 2 Business Voice/Data Distribution Module andWall Station Voice/Data Module

[0047] Description of numbered items on FIG. 1

[0048] 1. Phone Utility Interface

[0049] 2. Four pair voice/data cable with colored wire pairs ofWhite/Orange and Orange, White/Green and Green, White Blue and Blue,White Brown and Brown; used to connect telephone system with 110punch-down on one end and RJ 45 male on the other end to

[0050] 3. Business Voice/Data Distribution Module (number 3 of 4 partsof this invention) which combines telephone and Ethernet and deliversboth to a station location and converts telephone station line from theWhite/Orange, Orange and the Blue White/Blue pairs on pins 3, 4, 5 and 6to the Brown/White, brown Blue White/Blue pairs pair pins 4, 5, 7, 8

[0051] 4. Female RJ 45 jack which receives service from the telephoneutility

[0052] 5. Female RJ 45 jacks out to station pre-configured to deliverbusiness telephone station lines and Ethernet to station locations

[0053] 6. Female RJ 45 jacks on face of the Business Voice/DataDistribution Module to bring Ethernet into the Business Voice/DataDistribution Module

[0054] 7. RJ 45 connection out from an Ethernet Hub or Router

[0055] 8. Ethernet patch cords

[0056] 9. Telephone wall plate with female RJ-45

[0057] 10. Station Voice/Data Module (number 4 of 4 parts of thisinvention) with 1 male RJ 45 jack to plug into the telephone wall outlet(#4) and 3 female RJ 45 jacks to connect to telephones and the computernetwork card.

[0058] 11. RJ-45 (# 11) jack brings the Blue/White and Blue wires topins 4 and 5 and the Brown/White and Brown pair to pins 3 and 6 fordelivery of 2 phone lines to a station from an RJ-45 female

[0059] 12. RJ-45 (#1) jack is not used in the business systemconfiguration

[0060] 13. RJ-45 female that brings an Ethernet connection on the Orangeand Green pairs to pins 1, 2, 3, and 6 in the RJ-45 in the StationVoice/Data Module (number 2 of 4 parts of this invention

[0061] 14. Mail RJ-45 which plugs into the female RJ-45 of the telephonewall plate

[0062] 15. Ethernet Router or switch

[0063] This system of devices provides both voice and data distributionover one 4 pair communications wire saving installation time and money.It will also allow businesses wired for only telephone to implement adata network over the existing communications wiring system. Prior tothis invention a complicated wiring scheme was used to provide bothvoice and data at the station or an addition 4-conductor wire needed tobe run for access to the data network.

[0064] It can now be seen that individuals with moderate skill intelecommunications can implement the system as described above andpictured in FIG. 2.

[0065] Description of FIG. 3 Wiring with the Wall Station Voice/DataModule

[0066] In this example the Wall Station Voice/Data Wall Plate is used inplace of the Station Voice/Data Module

[0067] 1. 4 pair Voice/data wire from either the Business Voice/DataDistribution Module or the Home Voice/Data Distribution Module

[0068] 2. female RJ-45 which delivers business phone system extension toa station location on pins 3, 4, 5 and 6.

[0069] 3. Female RJ-45 or 110 punch-down which receives business phonesystem service from a telephone system and Ethernet from a Home orBusiness Voice/Data Distribution Module.

[0070] 4. female R-45 which delivers Ethernet to a computer station user

[0071] 5. the Wall Station Voice/Data Module

[0072] 6. front view of the female RJ-45 which delivers business phonesystem extension to a station location

[0073] 7. front view of the female RJ-45 which delivers female R-45delivers Ethernet to a computer station user

[0074] 8. telephone extension cord which plugs into a business systemtelephone

[0075] 9. computer patch cord which plugs into a computer network card

[0076] It can now be seen that individuals with moderate skill intelecommunications can implement the system as described above andpictured in FIG. 3.

[0077] Discussion of Invention and FIGS. 1, 2 and 3

[0078] This invention has been described in sufficient detail both withtext and picture to allow an individual with a moderatetelecommunications background to install the system. It is understoodthat this specific description has numerous variations and arrangementsthat would allow the same end result by simple modifying wire pairconnections and pin-outs without materially changing the methoddescribed or departing from the scope of this invention.

[0079] Therefore, the full scope of this invention is defined in theappended claims and only one specific example is described in thedescriptions and diagrams above.

I claim:
 1. A method for Voice/Data communications over one 4 twistedpair communications wiring system installed in a star configuration, themethod comprising: A station module which provides access to 2 telephonelines or a business telephone station line in combination with anEthernet data communications connection, a distribution module whichcombines the telephone lines or business telephone station lines from abusiness telephone system and the Ethernet connections from a networkrouter or switch and delivers them through a 4 twisted paircommunications wire to the station module that distributes the telephonelines and the Ethernet connections to the telephone station and acomputer network card at various locations:
 2. The method as recitedabove in claim 1, wherein business telephone system station lines andEthernet connections are combined by a distribution module that deliversa business telephone extension and an Ethernet connection to a stationlocation via 4 twisted pair communication wire and a station modulewhich is pre-configure and provides access to a business telephonestation line and an Ethernet data communications connection, TheEthernet is transmitted through 2 spare pair in a 4 twisted paircommunication wire that are not being used for a business telephonewhich requires 1 or 2 pair of a 4 pair communication wire.
 3. The methodrecited above wherein the distribution module combines 2 telephone linesand an Ethernet connections onto multiple 4 pair communications cableand passes them through to stations with modules in such a way thattelephone and Ethernet are available at the station outlets using only 4twisted pair wire.
 4. The method recited above wherein the stationmodule with two RJ-45 female plugs on the face and 1 female RJ-45 or 110punch down on the rear is pre-configured to deliver a business telephonestation line and an Ethernet connection to a station location.
 5. Themethod recited above wherein a station module with 3 RJ-45 female jacksand 1 male RJ-45 plugs into the station outlet and provides access to 2telephone lines in jack 1, and 1 telephone line in jack 2 and Ethernetin jack 3; or a business telephone station in jack 1 and an Ethernetconnection in jack 3.